cottny27

That means the rod isn't balanced. Reel weight don't effect balance unless you are holding the rod completely in front of the reel. A balanced rod balances with any reel if you are palming it.

BPS during the Spring sale is cheap if you have one close by.

I have the PQ Tournament from a few yrs back and it's incredible. Just the PQ with duralumin gears and much lighter. I have a Smoke rod so I'm trying to keep it light.

Thinking about getting one as a backup reel since they are on clearance. Anyone have any experience with these? I'm pretty sure I've heard some negative things about them. 50-70 bucks so I'm not expecting much and don't plan on using it very often. I've been told they are just BPS reels with the Browning tag. I know BPS reels inside and out so working on them is no problem. Any thoughts?

I'd cover the bench areas for sure. Jon boats are pretty noisy anyway. I just put reel covers on, but I'm careful.

I'm curious too. Well for $40 they will at least make it in the boat as a backup reel.

How often do we really need more than about 50yds of line... Ebay has the 95mm carbon handles, but it's not that big of a deal to me. I do the backing also then spool with fluoro.

Yes, the LFS's are super small to palm. I wish they put the 95mm handle on them though. I will be buying another one this Spring like the Pro G or Tounament Lite.

I use Seaguar InvizX & AbrazX...I can't tell much of a difference other than it will fray more than AbrazX. It handles really well for me as a main line.

Taylor, talk to WdyCrankbait first. His Tournament Lite for sale is leaps better than the Mach 1.

Why go that much when you can probably get this for $100 during the Spring sale. It fishes very nice and is an upgrade from your Black Max. The braking system is top notch on it. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Johnny-Morris-CarbonLite-Baitcast-Reel/product/1404051026293/

Lews LFS on a Veritas 1.0. Prob set you back 150ish if you look hard.

Ok, its probably similar in line diameter. I go as light as I can get away with.

Good cranking line/very manageable, but not sure I would recommend it in heavy cover with jigs.

.....and Vanish. Its terrible. Them two are on the same level imo

Seaguar is quite thin. The Seaguar Senshi mono is even thinner. I have one combo that I throw cranks all day on with 12# RL and have no issues. I just soak it with KVD the night before 6 or 7 sprays and you're good to go.

Red Label will work fine for you if you keep some KVD line conditioner close by. Its pretty soft and easy to manage, but I've never tried anything higher than 12# test.

Red Label no question.

Sheepdog, you hit the nail on the head with your explanation. I love low ratio reels for those big bladed spinnerbaits and cranks. Makes it seem effortless.

Is that a split grip rod? That is quite balanced.

I started fishing weightless senkos this year with a 1/0 Gama Octopus or finesse hook. Hookup rate doubled and you barely have to set it. I fish pretty open strip pits though. I always in the past did the tex-posed 3/0 or 4/0 Trokar, but the hookup rate was pretty low.

I agree that 3/8oz might be pushing it on a 6'6" M spinning rod. 1/4oz. on some 8# fluro fishing a light wire finesse jig. You could go 10# with some supple fluro

Revo handle looks cool and you dropped a little weight. I like that Tourney Lite prob only weighs 5.5oz with that handle.

So I replaced the handle with a BPS Carbonlite handle. The weight reduction with a carbon handles is kind of a joke. Went from 6.9oz to 6.8oz. Still I like the EVA grips better than the big Lews paddle grips.

Just bought my first Lews, but have yet to use it. Is there a more compact low profile reel than the Lews LFS series? I'm very impressed with how comfortable and tight they are. There is no play in the handle or anti reverse whatsoever. I'd like to try their higher end reels. $79 on Amazon you just can't beat it imo. I have a Veritas and a quantum smoke rod that I'm debating on putting it on.